Concert Series To Bolster Funds That Aid Residents

GLASTONBURY — At a local concert in May by the Hartford Symphony Chamber Orchestra, almost 80 percent of those in the audience said they would be interested in a series of concerts.

Sonya Googins and Elsie Easterbrook are hoping the concertgoers haven't changed their minds. The two local women have organized a three-concert series by the chamber orchestra, with the first performance scheduled for Oct. 4, the second Feb. 28 and the last May 2.

Proceeds will benefit charities that serve local people, as did the two previous concerts organized by Easterbrook and Googins. The women are seeking suggestions from the public for nonprofit organizations to benefit from the series.

The two previous concerts, in June 1995 and May 1996, raised $17,000 for Food Share of Greater Hartford, ABC House, the Welles-Turner Library Second Century Fund and ``Pass It On,'' a student-run cable television show.

``Everybody in town benefits from this,'' Easterbrook said.

The first concert was planned after orchestra officials approached Googins with the idea of making Glastonbury one of the orchestra's suburban venues. Googins, the state representative in the 31st House District, and Easterbrook, a local piano teacher, teamed up to develop the idea.

The Oct. 4 concert will feature music by Beethoven, Pachelbel and Schubert, said Shirley Furry, the orchestra's executive director.

``We're really excited about the series,'' Furry said Monday. ``It will be a very friendly evening. Our director, Michael Lankester, talks to the audience. It should be very pleasant.''

The major corporate sponsor for the series is Allmerica Financial-Connecticut, an investment company with a Glastonbury office. Allmerica and other sponsors will pay part of the cost of the orchestra, so more of the ticket revenue will go to charities, company spokeswoman Lynn Connelly said.

``We do value the arts and enjoy being part of a community that supports the arts,'' Connelly said. ``We hope we're setting an example for other companies.''

Discounted subscriptions to the three concerts are available for $60 for patrons, $36 for general admission and $30 for senior citizens and students. Admission to individual concerts is $15 for general admission and $12 for seniors and students.

Tickets and subscription forms may be obtained at Daybreak Coffee Roasters, Glastonbury Stationers and Highland Park Market, or by calling Easterbrook, (860) 633-0388 or Googins, 633-4237.

The concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Glastonbury High School auditorium.